Abstract
This thesis focuses on the prevalence and impact of simultaneously existing disorders or comorbid conditions in COPD patients. Common comorbid conditions in COPD patients were detected systematically. Electrocardiography showed a high prevalence of heart damage, which is associated with poorer outcome. Other comorbid conditions such as high blood sugar levels, obesity, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, anxiety and depression were found to be common as well. Comorbidity is present in almost all COPD patients and at least four simultaneously occurring comorbid conditions are present in over 50% of the patients. Patterns could be recognised and patients could be divided into five groups based on these comorbid conditions. In conclusion, it was shown that neither separate comorbid conditions nor comorbidity clusters prevent pulmonary rehabilitation from being effective in COPD patients.
Original language | English |
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Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
Awarding Institution |
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Supervisors/Advisors |
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Award date | 27 Feb 2015 |
Place of Publication | Maastricht |
Publisher | |
Print ISBNs | 9789461594099 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Keywords
- COPD
- comorbid conditions